I would like to share part of the history of our church in Rotterdam, as well as the history of my family, and me as pastor of this church. It isn't as much history as it is part of the journey we are taking as we try to listen to God's voice and respond to His call to serve.

Q: I've heard about Wesley's Quadrilateral. Can you please explain it?
A: As a part of the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition we have a rich heritage of theological grappling with life. It was Wesley's deep belief that we participate with God in the holy life: we are not mere passive observers.

Men are constantly inverting the divine order, seeking wealth and pleasure and the things pertaining to this life first, with the purpose of seeking their eternal salvation and the kingdom of God afterward. But he who begins wrong cannot hope to end right unless he retraces his steps.

Why we should seek the Kingdom first

Because God commands it.

The monks at a remote monastery deep in the woods followed a rigid vow of silence. Their vow could only be broken once a year—on Christmas—by one monk. That monk could speak only one sentence. One Christmas, Brother Thomas had his turn to speak and said, "I love the delightful mashed potatoes we have every year with the Christmas roast!" Then he sat down. Silence ensued for 365 days.

The next Christmas, Brother Michael got his turn and said, "I think the mashed potatoes are lumpy, and I truly despise them!" Once again, silence ensued for 365 days.